Morgan Carter

Finding the best hotel in NYC to stay at, whether on a trip here or a staycation, is paramount. Yes, you’ll likely be out and about and the hotel simply serves as a place to lay your head, but a good hotel can make or break your time in the city. New York prides itself on its hospitality and that is pretty clearly evidenced by its best hotels. Every kind of traveler can find their perfect holiday haven in this glorious city, from sleek boutique hotels in the city’s trendiest neighborhoods to opulent luxury stays near the top NYC attractions. You’ll even find some of the best spas and restaurants tucked inside their lobbies. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the Big Apple or a local craving an inner-city staycation, these properties take the cake when it comes to hospitality and hotel perks. Cue room service. February 2025 update: We have completely revamped our list by visiting dozens of hotels across NYC, most recently, the Carlyle. So know that when you’re reading this list, you’re getting the most up-to-date information. 🇺🇸 Click here to view our full guide to the best things to do in NYC🏨 Discover the best cheap hotels in NYC🌉 Explore the coolest Airbnbs in Brooklyn💗 Book one of the best boutique hotels in NYC Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities, and in-depth research to find you the best stays.

Even our culture editor admits that Bushwick is "one of the most polarizing neighborhoods in New York City." Once a hub for all things hipster (and really, it still is, just with different terminology), Bushwick is the industrial hub most commonly known for its thumpin' nightlife scene. Yet, when the music cuts and the lights flicker on, the neighborhood also has plenty to explore in the eating-and-drinking department. Bushwick is home to some of the best New York pizza and stellar international food—including one of the top Ethiopian restaurants in the city. These are the best Bushwick restaurants, that are perfect for kicking a night into high-gear. RECOMMENDED: Best restaurants in NYC

Time Out Market New York is buzzing with activity, from phenomenal food and drinks to fun parties to keep you rolling through the cooler months. The market has  Bottomless Brunch!  For $50, you’ll receive a $30 TOM Card toward the meal of your choice from the market’s concessions and you can choose from Bottomless mimosas and bellinis from noon to 3pm on weekends. Below is the current schedule of events at Time Out Market New York!

Every drink seems ideal when you're at the perfect bar. Your dive’s beer is frosty, rooftops send you soaring toward the clouds and cocktail destinations shake and stir myriad ingredients into ideally calibrated glassware—leaps above what you try to craft at home. The options are unending, the ice is nicer and you aren’t just drinking, you’re at the spot.  Whether you're dabbling in low-ABV libations, making your way through dedicated martini menus or collecting passwords for pseudo speakeasies, there is an ideal location for every taste, tolerance and occasion. Find them among the 50 best bars in NYC right now. Updated March 2025: In this most recent update, we've removed Mother's Ruin and added The Bronx Beer Hall. Time Out has instituted a sitewide policy change. For more on our new policies, feel free to check out "How we review at Time Out." 

Growing up, the sandwich was in constant rotation. A shelf-stable sandwich was a constant cast member in my brown bag lunch, from the reliable turkey with a squirt of mustard to the simple yet satisfying peanut butter and jelly variety, all of which was prepared by my loving mother. But as I've grown, so has my imagination as to what I can slide between two halves of bread.  The mighty sandwich is really a vehicle for all. Carnivorous appetites call for hunks of brisket and barbecue to pastrami-stacked creations. Yet sandwiches sprouting with veggies and vegetarian-forward ingredients can be just as satisfying if not more. And no matter what, a sandwich beats a sad desk salad, any day. When the hankering calls for a carb-laden lunch (or breakfast or dinner, we don't care), thumb through this list and discover your new favorite sub. Editor's note: We removed Bonafide Delicatessen and Cafe, Ciao, Gloria, Henry Public and Rowdy Rooster. We added Bark Barbecue, Calyer, Daily Provisions, Ends Meat, Ollin, Win Son Bakery and The Bonnie.  RECOMMENDED: The 25 most spectacular sandwiches in the world

While the bagel is most prominently featured in things that New Yorkers love and that are round and good, the doughnut is close behind it. Whether you spell it as donut or doughnut, this round ring of sweetness is a treat as old as time (and can be eaten at any time) whether during an early morning commute or a late night treat.  If you've been hunting through the city’s best bakeries and coffee shops for the best doughnut in NYC, look no further. We've compiled a handy list of where to find the most exemplary fried rings, including a spot in a Staten Island strip mall and brioche-based treats from the brick-and-mortar offshoot of a beloved online bakery. Whether for breakfast, lunch, or dessert, these are NYC’s best outposts for doughnuts. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to best restaurants in NYC

With an embarrassment of riches when it comes to brunch options, finding Manhattan’s very best can feel like an Odyssian undertaking. With choices oscillating between breakfast and lunch, caffeinated and boozy, uptown and down, choices are truly unending. Informed by years of intrepid brunching across the five boroughs (someone has to do it), I’ve consolidated this baker’s dozen of the best places for brunch in the city’s busiest borough (we humbly offer a lineup of the best spots across the river in Brooklyn, too), where you’ll find everything from griddle classics at casual cafes to fancy foods at some of the best restaurants in NYC. RECOMMENDED: See more restaurants for the best brunch in NYC

Everyone knows what great pizza means to them. It could have a paper-thin, crispy base or one so doughy it’s comparable to a pillow; it could be an abundance of vegetables and cured meats or simply a great, classic margherita (for the purists). Some of us even crave a bit of pizza-induced controversy (fans of a white base or those who opt for a pineapple topping, we’re looking at you).  But no matter your preference, whether it’s socially acceptable or totally unhinged to everybody else, you’ll find your perfect pizza pie somewhere in the world, and somewhere on this list, too. That’s because we’ve asked our travel writers and international editorial staff about their absolute favourite spots for when they’re craving a pizza, from Cape Town to Lisbon, Buenos Aires to Miami. We hope you’re hungry – don your napkin and read on for the world’s very best pizzas.  RECOMMENDED:🥪The best sandwiches in the world🥩The best steaks in the world🍝The best cities in the world for food This list was edited by Liv Kelly, a writer for Time Out Travel. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Whether you’ve got the voice of an angel or you’re totally tone deaf, karaoke unites us all. But heed our warning: choosing the right song is crucial (aka, don’t opt for that Whitney Houston tune if you haven’t the range. And if you don't have good enough flow, steer clear of rapping. Kapeesh?) So we thought we’d help out a little bit. In our list of the best karaoke songs ever, we’ve got everyone from Adele to Toto, and from Frank Sinatra to Ricky Martin. There's even recent singalongs from Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan. Something for everyone. So down that shot, grab that mic and take to the stage. Your audience awaits you. Here are the best karaoke songs ever.  RECOMMENDED:❤️ The best love songs☀️ The best summer songs🎉 The best party songs🕺 The best albums of 2025 so far  

Choosing a favorite restaurant in New York City is a joyful task with myriad possibilities depending on the occasion, mood and even the time of year. Your favorite dive, fine dining destination and neighborhood favorite might all occupy top spots on your personal best list in spite of their disparate qualities.  Our list of NYC’s 50 best restaurants is the same, spanning each of those categories and more to comprise a catalogue of all the places we wish we were at right now. They don’t have to be the newest or the most recently reviewed, just places that we’ve been to and want to return to again and again, and that we think that you will, too.  RECOMMENDED: NYC’s best bars right now Updated March 2025: Time Out has instituted a sitewide policy change. For more on our new policies, feel free to check out "How we review at Time Out." In this most recent update, we've removed Pata Paplean and added Eel Bar and Los Mariscos. Note: Many of the city’s best chefs, restaurants and concepts have been welcomed into the Time Out Market. Because that is the highest honor we can award, establishments related to the market have not been ranked here, but you can see them below.  Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining.

Like most New Yorkers, I find breakfast to be a feast-or-famine kind of sport. On those snooze-button days, if we’re lucky, it might mean just grabbing a bagel to devour along with a few quick gulps of coffee on your morning commute. On the days when we have the good, albeit less frequent, luck of having more time to spare, a leisurely brunch and its promise of booze and decadence may be on the menu. Either way, some of the world’s best takes on the most important meal of the day can be found right here in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

Dining out in New York City can be a labor of love. There are thousands of new and old restaurants to choose from, making reservations can seem like a sport or a game of chance and most of us want and need to spend our eating and drinking money wisely. That’s why Time Out New York spends days and nights haunting the city to highlight the very best in hospitality right now, and gently divert from the less-best. Peruse on through to choose your next favorite destination, and play along to see which newcomers become 2024’s top options.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

The best thing about New York is that unassuming buildings house secrets that you may pass by without blinking an eye. Mao Mao is one of those places. Once you step inside, you'll know there is plenty of fun to be had at this neon-red lit drinking den with its pull-down projector that screens throw-back Thai films and a parked tuk-tuk among it all. Drinking snacks include lemongrass peanuts and fried chicken wings and homemade sour laab chili powder in a cup that is best enjoyed with a little shake.  The vibe: The weekdays are relatively laid back with hip date nighters and friends catching up over Thai moonshine (more on that below).  The food: The menu has plenty of bites if a snack and sip is more of your speed, with fried lemongrass peanuts and fried chicken wing coated in a sour laab chili powder.  The drink: Behind the bar you can find bottles of Thai moonshine known as La Dong for the drinking. If the fermented liquor is too much to handle, the bar has a rotating list of Thai beers and cocktails.  Time Out tip: On the weekends, the DJ booth comes alive, as do the vibes. 

Early this April, James Beard Award-winning author, chef and recipe developer Rick Martinez released his second cookbook, "Salsa Daddy: Dip Your Way into Mexican Cooking." Following up on his New York Times and Los Angeles Times bestselling cookbook, "Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture from My Kitchen in Mexico," his second is a love letter to the cornerstone of Mexican cuisine: salsa. Diving into the rich 500-year history of the dish, the cookbook features over 70 recipes and 24 meals for those of us who are all about that dip life. As part of Martinez's cookbook tour, the chef will be stopping in New York the best way he knows how, with a Cinco de Mayo party.   On May 5, Martinez is popping up at Ridgewood's Hellbender for a Cinco to remember. Not only will he be around for a meet and greet, but chef Martinez and Hellbender's chef, Yara Herrera, will collaborate on a la carte menu, incorporating dishes straight from the cookbook. In between bites, you can dance the night away with cumbia music.  The party is free to attend, just make sure you reserve your spot on Resy.

Sushidelic is Soho's maximalist restaurant where everything is kawaii, including the sushi that rolls down the conveyor belt. Chauhaus, is an experiential company marked by its gastronomic dinners and kawaii holiday marts. This month, the two are coming together for a pop-up cafe, hoping to create the cutest 'effin thing you'll ever see.  On April 15-20, Sushidelic will transform into a Japanese-inspired pop-up café. Inspired by what kawaii monsters would eat, if they could, the daytime cafe will feature items commonly found in Japanese convenience stores. You can start your day with the Chili Oil-Fried Egg Over Rice for a crispy, crunchy and spicy bite, or try the Time-To-Go Tamago Sando. Heartier appetites call for the Curry Crab Cake Egg Benedict or the yuzu-avocado-lox toast, Catch Her In The Rye. If sweets are more your speed, order the Black Sesame Rice Krispies Treats or the whipcream filled shokupan, or milk bread, Professor Strawberry Sando. Throughout the week, the cafe will feature surprise guests and activations including coffee from DankDelish and art and merch from local artist Cyd. The cafe will be open from 10am to 3pm. So wear your cutest fit and get ready to chow down. 

Aquavit is so popular in Scandinavia that it's the national spirit of Sweden, Norway and Denmark. While generally enjoyed straight and in a shot, this botanical spirit is versatile as can be, serving as a base for a new generation of cocktails. Hudson Square's latest bar, KABIN is here to spread the gospel, looking to familiarize New Yorkers with the centuries-old spirit. With the first-ever World Aquavit Day happening this weekend on Sunday, April 13, now is the best time to discover something new.  Sponsored by Linie Aquavit, the Nordic-inspired bar is celebrating the holiday with aquavit specials all weekend long, from April 10 to April 13. New to aquavit? The bar will be shaking up familiar classic cocktails that incorporate the spirit, serving aquavit-forward sours, negronis, palomas and martinis. If you'd rather be a purist, you can try it straight by mixing and matching your own flight. But if you've been shooting aquavit since birth, you can taste the rare spirit, Linie Double Cask Port, available in the U.S. for the first time. So come thirsty and ready to raise a glass this weekend. 

Alex Tangen brought a slice of Norway to New York by way of KABIN. Her first hospitality venture, Tangen's Norweigian-inspired cocktail bar is modeled like a sleek cabin you just wish you could find on Airbnb with white-washed wooden beams, elements of steel and huge windows that look out on to the cityscape. Yes, you can find Swedish meatballs and pickled mackerel, alongside Seared Scallops and a Danish Hot Dog, curated by award-winning chef Johnny Spero. The bar stays stocked with Norway's national spirit, aquavit, found shaken in cocktails and chilled in shots. 

Saturdays and samba? Just tell us when and where! This April, Turma do Samba is taking over our fifth-floor rooftop at Time Out Market New York, bringing the best of Brazil to Dumbo. Known for their authentic samba sound, the renowned Brazilian musical group plays samba classics alongside pagode and traditional rodas. Their lively performances create a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates the spirit of Carioca culture. The Brazilian band will headline at the market on Saturday, April 12 and Saturday, April 26. Each event goes from 3–7pm, so bring your dancing shoes—you won't want to miss it!

Martiny's is one of New York's finest watering holes, where founder and beverage director Takuma Watanabe shares signature cocktails refined with Japanese precision. But don't just take our word for as the bar accolades speak for themselves, namley the number four spot on North America's 50 Best Bars list. This month, Martiny's will play host to another "best bar" from the ranking, one that's flying in all the way in from the West Coast.  On Tuesday, April 8, Martiny's will host San Francisco's True Laurel for a collaborative night of cocktails. Found in the Mission District of San Francisco, True Laurel is a sister bar to the two Michelin-starred dinner party, Lazy Bear. The party continues on at True Laurel with visually stunning and, more importanlty, sustainable cocktails, as drinks are shaken with the likes of pine cone distillates and redwood tips. It is the bar's no waste commitment that made True Laurel a standout, earning it a number #30 ranking on North America's 50 Best Bars plus a Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award from the same outlet. For one night only, the two powerhouse bars will come together to create a menu crafted with Japan’s leading shochu brand, iichiko Shochu. It all starts at 6pm, so come early and come thirsty.

When you think about chefs who have changed a generation, you may think of culinary gourmand James Beard and the works of Julia Child. Another pioneer to consider is Edna Lewis, the mother of soul food.  Earning the title, "The Grande Dame of Southern Cooking," Chef Lewis was among the first African American women from the South to write a cookbook. Honoring seasonal and local ingredients of the region, her work as an author and a teacher elevated Southern cuisine to the culinary conversation. Celebrating her legacy, the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) is screening the documentary, "Finding Edna Lewis." Following the film, there will be a discussion hosted by award-winning writer and producer of the documentary Debra Freeman and James Beard Award-winning writer, producer and curator Osayi Endolyn. Together, they will dive into the places and people that shaped Ms. Lewis, whose influence is still felt today.  Tickets are $30 and include access to MOFAD's current exhibition, "Flavor: The World to Your Brain" from 6pm to 7pm. Brooklyn's Gage & Tollner, where Lewis once served as executive chef, will serve Lewis' Buttermilk Biscuits alongside beverages. Reserve your spot here.  

This one is sure to be a fun one: the Street Vendor Project, a membership-based program that seeks to protect the rights of New York City street vendors, is launching a massive, city-wide scavenger hunt encouraging New Yorkers to hit the streets and support the city’s smallest businesses.  The process is pretty simple: you can either create your own team or join an existing one. As a group, you'll download a mobile app to receive "missions" which include street food trivia, sampling food and more. Once you've completed the challenge, you'll upload photos to the app to gain points which will be tallied at the end of the month. Teams also earn points for every donation they raise towards SVP’s translation fund. The game closes on April 25. You can peep the tallied results and awards online or join SVP's closing ceremony on April 27 to meet your fellow players and collect your prizes in person. We can't think of a better way to enjoy some of New York's most eclectically delicious food offerings while also paying it forward.  Register for the event right here.

Millennials: are you as sick of dating apps as the rest of us? Great, us too. While we didn't birth online dating, our generation certainly became the target market, from the early days of OkCupid to the birth of Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and more. But if the idea of downloading another app just to have dead-end conversations makes you want to throw away your phone, we have the perfect event for you.  On April 29, ditch the apps and meet fellow Millennial singles in IRL at Millenial Speed Dating. Held at Time Out Market New York's ground floor bar, The Local Corner, the speed dating will gather 30 singles to meet, greet and hopefully make a connection. There is a bit of technology involved, but worry not, it's all geared toward finding your perfect match. Before the big day, participants will receive an email prompting them to create a matching profile on SpeedMatchApp (which only takes two minutes to sign up). As you mingle throughout the evening, you can use the app to select your matches in real-time, from "friend,” “date,” or “none.” The next morning you’ll receive a text with all your matches. Tickets cost $38. Participants must purchase one food or drink item from the market to participate. Reserve your spot here.

Hop on by Time Out Market New York for a springtime celebration of Easter. On Easter Sunday, April 20, the Easter Bunny will be at the market for selfies from 1 to 5pm during the market’s bottomless brunch. Our resident vocalist, Najah Moser will perform live between 2 and 5pm, bringing rhythm and joy to our celebration. Gather your family and friends for a day filled with good food, great company, and wonderful entertainment. We can’t wait to celebrate Easter with you!Tickets are free, but space is limited. Sign up here to reserve your spot. 

Hop on by Time Out Market New York for a springtime celebration of Easter. On Easter Sunday, April 20 the Easter Bunny will be at the market for selfies from 1 to 5pm during the market’s bottomless brunch. Our resident vocalist, Najah Moser will perform live between 2 and 5pm, bringing rhythm and joy to our celebration. Gather your family and friends for a day filled with good food, great company, and wonderful entertainment. We can’t wait to celebrate Easter with you!Tickets are free, but space is limited. Sign up here to reserve your spot. 

When it comes to the art of kaiseki, the traditional multi-course Japanese dinner, chef Isao Yamada is truly a master. Studying Japanese tea and honing his craft among various restaurants in Japan, including the three-Michelin starred Kitcho, chef Yamada went on to open his own in his hometown of Fukuoka—Kaiseki Hanaei. The chef moved stateside in the early 2010s, invited to work alongside a trailblazer of the New York scene, David Bouley. As executive chef of Tribeca’s Brushstroke, chef Yamada served one of the earliest kaiseki meals in the city, earning two stars from the Michelin Guide and two stars from The New York Times. After it shuttered in 2018, chef Yamada went on to man a 600-square-foot counter in midtown, Kaiseki Room by Yamada, before it too closed. Earlier this month, the chef returned to the scene with a new concept two years in the making.   RECOMMENDED: These 16 NYC restaurants were just added to the Michelin Guide Simply known as Yamada (16 Elizabeth Street), the kaiseki tasting counter opened its doors on April 2. Channeling the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, or beauty in simplicity, the interior keeps it minimalistic with a chef counter made of hinoki wood, elements of black and gold marble to model kintsugi, or the Japanese art of fixing broken items with gold, and a sunken kitchen where guests can watch the chef at work. Photograph: Evan Sung| Interior of Yamada Chef Yamada centers his 10-course meal around three principles: seasonality (shun), har

Perhaps you’ve heard a friend rave about their meal at Crown Shy, with special attention paid to the sticky toffee pudding for dessert. Or maybe you saw the jumbo goldfish from Flatiron's latest seafood house swim across your Instagram feed last year. For this and more, you have pastry chef Renata Ameni to thank.    Moving to the U.S. from Brazil when she was 26, Ameni has cooked pastry at some legendary locations in the nation, including Jean-Georges and Eleven Madison Park in New York to California’s three Michelin-starred Manresa, now closed. In 2021, the chef returned to the East Coast and developed the pastry program Crown Shy and Saga working under one of New York’s best talents, chef James Kent. In an Instagram video, Ameni described working alongside chef Kent and their shared dreams for her to open her own spot. “He always wanted me to open a bakery. I always wanted to open an ice cream shop,” she said, saying that he wanted to call it Renata’s Helados. However, she reasoned she didn’t want to open just an ice cream shop due to the seasonality of it all. Early last year, the hospitality group was tapped by the co-working and innovative hub, The Refinery at Domino to open an all-day concept. Reigniting the conversation, the two jumped at the opportunity.  Sadly, Kent suddenly passed away in June of last year. Since his passing, Saga Hospitality rebranded as Kent Hospitality with the commitment to continuing the chef’s legacy. Part of that included moving forward with

At last, night market season has arrived. The annual crop of night markets seem to reward us for trudging through cold days all winter—and now enduring sweltering days not quite perfect for dining outdoors.  A bevy open-air night markets will pop up around town this summer, from the upper reaches of the Bronx to Queens. We've rounded up details on all of them, so grab some cash and make plans to eat locally—and deliciously.  Photograph: Courtesy Gillian Todd Bronx Night Market First day April 26; Last day October 25; Runs on the last Saturday of the month Since 2017, the Bronx Night Market has been the longest-running event series in the Bronx. You can find it in Fordham Plaza on the last Saturday of each month through October. Among the 35 vendors you can find refreshing drinks from Aguas Frescas Tlaxcalita, smoked chorizo from Casallas Kitchen and grilled lobster tail from Keez 2 The Kitchen.  Other activities include a pop-up bookstore curated by Bronx is Reading, which will host a bunch of literary activities for folks of all ages; a new general store filled with fresh products sourced locally called Fordham Farmers Market; Bronx Native's beloved Tiny Desk concert series; and a vegan bazaar that will promote the sort of healthy foods that the "traditional" market does not regularly pay attention to. Photograph: Courtesy of Uptown Night Market Uptown Night Market First day April 10; Last day October 9; Runs on the second Thursday of the month The massive foodie fest

This year marks 100 years of Le Creuset. The iconic kitchenware has been the friend of the home cook and professional chef alike for its quality and reliability, its variety of colors causing a frenzy every time they release. To celebrate such a momentous milestone, the French cookware company is bringing back its nationwide dining pop-up, soon to stop right here in New York City.  This spring, Le Creuset is reviving its dinner series, La Carte by Le Creuset. Partnering with Secret Supper, an organization that offers unparalleled dining experiences in remarkable settings, the immersive dinner series will stop in three cities across the country: New York, Chicago and San Diego. Each dinner taps top culinary talent in each respective city, hosted in breathtaking locations that are revealed to guests only 24 hours in advance of the cocktail hour.  Photography courtesy of La Carte by Le Creuset| Last year's event was hosted at The Boathouse at Prospect Park New York is the first stop in the series and will be led by chef Fariyal Abdullahi. With a background training at the Culinary Institute of America and working at the three-Michelin-starred Noma, chef Abdullahi currently oversees the kitchen at Marcus Samuelson's Hav & Mar where she interprets their shared Ethiopian heritage rooted in culinary technique (earning the restaurant a five-star rating this past December). Serving as a judge on Chopped, chef Abdullahi has also been recognized by the James Beard Foundation, once as

“Let Me Tell You” is a series of columns from our expert editors about NYC living, including the best things to do, where to eat and drink, and what to see at the theater. They publish each Tuesday so you’re hearing from us each week. Last time, Food & Drink Editor Morgan Carter took her dog to the SoHo house of dog daycares.  Picture it: wall-to-wall bodies, sweating and grooving. Thumping house music. And when things get too hot, the cold plunge is here to cool you down. Meet Heatwave by Daybreaker, where the club meets the sauna.   Since its inception in 2013, Daybreaker has been known for its sunrise get-togethers, whether it be yoga sessions at the Edge or silent discos at Rockefeller Center. In January, the global dance community went dark for the first time, hosting a nighttime party at Flatiron’s “out of this world” sauna, Othership. The one-off turned into a monthly sauna series, now held both day and night, inviting all to shake off the chill outside and sweat it out. Earlier this year, looking to mark the end of a very successful Dry January, I slid on my swimsuit under my puffy coat and set my sights toward Flatiron.  Inside the lobby of Othership, the excited energy of the crowd was palpable—enhanced by the muted thumping of tunes beyond the wall. Check-in was relatively swift and easy, as I was given a few towels (one for sitting, one for sweat) and was directed to the locker room. A tight fit is the best way to describe the locker situation as plenty of winter

Blanca, Roberta’s once Michelin-rated restaurant, is abruptly closing.  Chef Victoria Blamey announced the closure on her Instagram. “I have shocking and sad news to share,” she said. “Blanca has lost its lease and we will have to vacate the building within weeks. Our last service will be Saturday, April 12th.” "After twelve incredible years, we are saddened to share that Blanca has lost its lease," an official rep at Blanca's said to Time Out New York. "Our last day of service will be April 12. We are so grateful to our staff, guests, and the community who made this space so much more than just a restaurant. It has been filled with energy, creativity, and unforgettable moments—and for that, we’re endlessly thankful. We are excited to continue creating wonderful experiences at Roberta's and Foul Witch." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Victoria Blamey (@victoriablamey) For over ten years, Blanca has been a lovely hidden find in Bushwick. Tucked inside Roberta’s—guests enter off of the pizza restaurant’s patio—the minimalist tasting counter has reaped plenty of awards in its day, including one star from the Michelin Guide and two stars from Pete Wells of The New York Times in 2012. After a long hiatus due to the pandemic, the kitchen reopened in 2024 with chef Victoria Blamey at the head, who brought her Chilean heritage to the counter with sweet crab empanadas and a chicharron dotted bread, known as tortilla de rescoldo, puffed and charred in R

It’s clear Ariel Arce has been busy. Last fall, Arce and her teammates, Aaron Lirette and Kenneth Crum, opened a bar and dining destination inside a three-story carriage house. The first floor belongs to Heroes, a restaurant dedicated to whole animal cookery and dry-aged fish. Above that, you can find one of the hardest reservations in town, the 70s Playboy-esque lounge Pearl Box. To accommodate the flux of thirsty patrons, the team recently unveiled the Bar Room in March, a second-floor, walk-in bar that carries on the vibe of the lounge above it, with martinis and caviar-topped bar bites. For her next act, Arce decided to take to the skies, opening her very first hotel bar. RECOMMENDED: Nine of NYC’s most-anticipated new restaurants for spring of 2025  On April 3, Arce opened Leonessa on the 16th floor of the Conrad New York Downtown. A love letter to Italy, Leonessa channels the rich culture of Italy's aperitivo culture. Stepping onto the year-round patio, you'll immediately feel the European influence. Modeling the charm of an Italian terrace, the rooftop features verdant greenery, including lemon trees, bistro-like furniture and a bubbling lion's head fountain. While we can’t look upon the waters of the Amalfi Coast, the bar still gives stunning views of the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty beyond.  Photography: Michael Persico| Frozen Sgroppino Tapping into Italy's aperitif traditions, the menu features a mix of spritzes and bitter-forward drinks. Yes, you can

And just like that, we are one step closer to awards season. The James Beard Foundation just released its 2025 James Beard Awards list of nominees for top chefs and restaurants across the country, following a much talked-about 2025 semifinalist announcement in January. Recognizing “exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system,” the final awards will be given out during a June 16 ceremony at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago. Below, find the list of NYC finalists: Outstanding Restaurateur Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr, Frenchette, Le Rock and Le Veau d’Or Simon Kim, Gracious Hospitality Management (COTE, Undercote and COQODAQ) Outstanding Chef Gabriel Kreuther, Gabriel Kreuther Jungsik Yim, Jungsik Best New Restaurant  Penny Outstanding Hospitality Atomix  Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service Cassandra Felix, Daniel Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service Ignacio Jimenez, Superbueno Best Chef: New York State Nasim Alikhani, Sofreh Ryan Fernandez, Southern Junction Barbecue, Buffalo, NY Eiji Ichimura, Sushi Ichimura Atsushi Kono, Kono Vijay Kumar, Semma Find the full list of nominees on the James Beard Foundation’s website. 

Somehow March came and went. But we enjoyed it greatly: the return of daylight after 5pm; the blossoming of trees; and the first warm day of the season (which we full took advantage of)? Yes, we had a time this March.   A handful of restaurants and bars also sprouted onto the scene this month (several of which from our most-anticipated openings of the year list). From a raw bar and a cocktail lounge inside New York’s 55,000-square-foot Parisian retailer to bakeries that garnered hour-long waits, here are all the new things you should check out now.  RECOMMENDED: Nine of NYC’s most-anticipated new restaurants for spring of 2025 1. 2. and 3. Café Jalu, Salon Vert and Red Room Bar, FiDi We’ve been patiently waiting for chef Gregory Gourdet's Maison Passerelle to open up inside Printemps. Seemingly rewarding us for good behavior, chef Gourdet has opened up three concepts inside the luxury retailer to tide us over. The all-day cafe Café Jalu is stocked with pastries, cookies dotted with Caribbean chocolate and cups of Gianduja Hot Chocolate (Haitian cacao, hazelnut, vanilla bean and sea salt). The second-floor raw bar, Salon Vert, also touches on Gourdet's Haitian roots with Creole spiced cocktail sauces and mignonette that come with a backbone of epis, a Haitian blend of green seasoning and peppers. Before leaving with bags in tow, a visit to the intimate Red Room Bar is necessary. As is an order of the Pikliz Martini or the Kafé Negroni made with Haitian coffee. 4. Confidant, Su

You always hear stories about the “old” days of New York—the seediness of Times Square, the graffitied subways and the roughness of it all. And while the city morphs into a new skin every few years, or sometimes even after a few months, a strange New York still exists. Now of course, strange doesn’t just have to mean grit. Strange can include curiosities, oddities and even hidden historical finds—if you know where to look. From a steakhouse that keeps the world’s largest collection of pipes on its ceiling to a bar that bets on turtle races, here are some of the cities most unique offerings within its restaurants. RECOMMENDED: ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ promises spectacular effects and an eerie new story  Photography courtesy of EPIC.NOW| A dinner at EPIC.NOW EPIC.NOW at icca, Tribeca Have you ever wanted to eat in a cave? In feudal Japan? Underwater, without the fear of drowning? Thanks to EPIC.NOW, all this can be had without leaving your seat. While the introduction of virtual reality to the dinner table isn’t necessarily new, EPIC.NOW goes a step further by heading into Michelin territory. Tapping the acclaimed sushi of the Michelin-starred Icca, chef Kazushige Suzuki created a special omakase menu to follow each act of the virtual journey, from the formation of the universe to the jungles of the Amazon. So strap in, and get ready for this multi-sensory ride. The virtual reality experience will be held at icca until the end of May. Tickets are $225 per person a

Given the current presidential administration’s attacks on immigrants, trans people and women’s rights, Time Out has rolled out a series called “March On.” During the month of March, we’ve covered stories such as how to safely protest in NYC and how this local nonprofit is supporting equity and women’s rights. To close out the series, we are covering how best to support one of New York’s best institutions: the street vendor. We spoke to the Street Vendor Project, a membership-based organization whose mission is to protect New York City’s street vendors, about the current challenges these small business owners face and how New Yorkers can get involved. As much as New York’s finest food and bars are the topic of conversation, it is the noble street vendor who deserves the most praise. Dotting the corners of streets and the tunnels of our subways, it is this reliable New Yorker who fills our gastronomical needs at any time of day, be it a morning cup of coffee or a late-night bite sure to tame any encroaching hangover. And while street vendors are integral to the fabric of New York, they are among the least protected in the city.  In New York, there are currently 23,000 vendors who make a living selling food, retail and merchandise but only 6,000 food vending permits available with only 853 permits relegated to merchandise, according to the nonprofit Street Vendor Project (SVP). To make matters worse, a 10,000-person waitlist to apply has been closed for several years. This dis

Every Sunday, the music has been on and poppin’ at Time Out Market New York. For the past year, the rooftop has been home to Signature Sundays. Held during brunching hours, the weekly event is powered by a rotating cast of female musicians, enhancing our mornings with soulful sounds and electrifying salsa celebrations.  Gracing our stage every first and last Sunday of the month is Afro-Latina singer Melaner Quiroz. Going by her first name, Melaner began singing at a young age. Her tenacity and passion for the profession led her to performing on the national stage as a contestant in Univision’s Reina De La Canción. Weaving in Spanish and English in her sets, Melaner proudly displays her heritage in each and every performance. We sat down with the singer to talk about her early days performing, how she found her sound and what you can expect for an upcoming performance at Time Out Market.  RECOMMENDED: Events happening at Time Out Market New York  What made you want to pursue a music career? Melaner Quiroz: I’ve always had a natural connection to music—creativity has always been second nature to me. But I never really felt like I chose this path; I truly believe it chose me. I know that sounds cliché, but I once tried to walk away from it, and somehow, music found its way back to me. It has become something far greater than just a personal pursuit. It’s about the music I want to share and the emotions I want people to feel when they listen. Music is powerful; it can heal, inspi